We do not know about Nasa rally: Police boss Koome
Nairobi police commander Japhet Koome addresses journalists in Nairobi on November 19, 2017. He said Nasa has not informed police about their memorial service planned for next week. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Koome said that anyone planning to hold a gathering should notify the officer commanding the station.
- He said several roads in the city have been marked as "red zones" to ensure dignitaries who will attend the event are kept safe.
Nairobi police commander Japhet Koome has said he is not aware of any other gathering to be held on Tuesday besides President Uhuru Kenyatta’s swearing-in, signalling uncertainty over the Opposition's memorial service.
Mr Koome on Saturday said that anyone planning to hold a gathering should notify the officer commanding the station (OCS) in that area.
"It’s clearly indicated in the Public Order Act Chapter 56 that if anybody intends to hold a public gathering, you must inform the local OCS," he said.
"But up to this moment, nobody at all has notified any of my station commanders about any other meeting on Tuesday.
"We are not aware about it. We have not been notified. So, whoever thinks he has intentions to do that [and] he does not involve police, why don’t you tell that person that the law will deal with such a situation firmly?" Mr Koome added.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
On Friday, Nasa leader Raila Odinga said the coalition will hold a memorial service at Jacaranda grounds in Embakasi, Nairobi, to pray with the families of those allegedly killed by police during demonstrations against the repeat presidential election.
"It will be crazy for any government to arrange for any ceremony when the country is mourning," Mr Odinga said during a fundraiser at Laico Regency.
Mr Koome, without mentioning any politician, said nobody is above the law.
"We have the responsibility to obey the laws of this country, whoever it is....You want to hold a public gathering, go before a station commander," he said.
SWEARING-IN
Regarding preparations for the inauguration ceremony at Kasarani Stadium, he said several roads in the city have been marked as "red zones" to ensure dignitaries who will attend the event are kept safe.
They include Mombasa Road, Museum Hill, Wangari Maathai Road and the Thika Superhighway up to Kasarani.
"What do I mean by saying it is a red zone? Maximum security. There, it will be serious business.
"Anybody causing trouble along the red zone will be dealt with according to the law," Mr Koome told journalists in Nairobi.
"... I’m asking our people that for that day, let’s cooperate."
